Copa Airlines announces new direct flights to Salvador and Fortaleza in Brazil, and Barbados

Beginning in July of this year, Copa Airlines will begin operations in Fortaleza and Salvador, in Brazil, and Bridgetown, in Barbados.

With these new routes, the airline will expand its network of destinations to 78 cities in 32 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

With the new Barbados route, Copa Airlines strengthens its leadership in the Caribbean by operating in 16 destinations in the region, while reaffirming its presence in the Brazilian market, serving a total of nine destinations in the South American country

Panama City, February 1st, 2018

Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A., {NYSE: CPA} and member of the global Star Alliance airline network, announces the start of operations in July this year to Salvador and Fortaleza, in Brazil, and the island of Barbados in the Caribbean. Through this addition, the airline will expand its network of routes in the continent by connecting 78 cities in 32 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, through the Hub of the Americas, located in Panama City.

Copa Airlines will fly to Fortaleza and Salvador beginning July 18 and 24, respectively. These new routes in northeastern Brazil add up to a total of nine destinations for Copa in the South American country. The flights to Barbados will begin in July, becoming Copa Airlines’ 16th destination in the Caribbean.

"Copa Airlines is proud to commence flights to Fortaleza and Salvador, in Brazil, and Barbados, which strengthen our presence in Brazil and consolidate our leadership in the Caribbean. These new routes allow Copa Airlines to continue to expand connectivity from the Hub of the Americas, in Panama, with the important northeastern region of Brazil and the increasingly interesting and attractive Caribbean region," said Copa Airlines chief executive Pedro Heilbron.

Regarding the benefits associated with the opening of these routes, Heilbron mentioned that "the flight connectivity between Panama and these new destinations will generate important opportunities for the development and strengthening of tourist and commercial activity for the three cities, as well as for Panama and the other 74 destinations offered by the airline," he said.

Fortaleza, Brazil

Flight CM 342 will initially operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays, departing at 3:25 p.m. from Panama and arriving at 11:57 p.m. in Fortaleza, Brazil. The return flight, CM 343, will depart from Fortaleza on Monday and Thursday at 2:13 a.m., arriving in Panama at 6:45 a.m. For this direct flight, Copa Airlines will operate a modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft with capacity to transport 160 passengers, 16 in the Executive Class and 144 in the main cabin.

In addition to its famous beaches, including Praia do Futuro, Jericoacoara and Canoa Quebrada, the Ceará region offers an extensive cultural and natural diversity, which includes various attractions and places of interest for all types of travelers. Its capital, Fortaleza, is a key destination for those who wish to know one of the most important cities in northeastern Brazil, recognized as an important tourist, commercial and financial center. Among its main tourist attractions are the famous Dragão do Mar Center for Art and Culture, with multiple galleries, museums, cinemas and theaters, or the spectacular Metropolitan Cathedral of Fortaleza.

Salvador, Brazil

Also in northeastern Brazil, but further south, is Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia and the most populated city in northeastern Brazil, with some three million inhabitants. Famous for its great carnival celebrations, beaches and rich cultural heritage, Salvador is a modern metropolis that retains the charm of colonial buildings, such as the first cathedral built in Brazil or the beautiful Pelourinho neighborhood, located in the historic center of the city and founded in 1549.

From July 24, flight CM 474 will initially operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing at 3:15 p.m. from Panama and arriving at 00:30 a.m. in Salvador, Brazil. The return flight, CM 475, will depart from Salvador on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1:30 a.m., arriving in Panama at 6:50 a.m. For this direct flight, Copa Airlines will operate a modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft with capacity to transport 160 passengers, 16 in the Executive Class and 144 in the main cabin.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, was declared by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity site. From July 17, the airline will offer two weekly flights to this spectacular Caribbean island, which, in addition to its famous beaches of turquoise waters, offers tourists a unique experience thanks to its landscapes, the variety of its cuisine and the informal and sophisticated charm of its inhabitants.

Copa Airlines’ CM 910 flight will leave Panama on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing at 9:30 a.m. and arriving in Bridgetown at 1:00 p.m. The return flight, CM 911, will operate on the same days, departing at 2:00 p.m. and arriving at 5:00 p.m. in Panama. The route will be operated with an Embraer E190 aircraft, which has a capacity for 94 passengers, 10 passengers in Business Class and 84 in the main cabin.

Copa Airlines currently operates an average of 350 daily flights through the Hub of the Americas, located at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, currently connecting 75 cities in 31 countries on the continent. At the beginning of 2018, the Airline was recognized for the fifth consecutive year by FlightStats as "The most punctual airline in Latin America", and by the Official Airline Guide of London as "The fourth most punctual airline in the world" and "The most punctual airline in Latin America. "